11 retro consoles from AliExpress for gamers for 30

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These consoles will allow you to go back to childhood and remember the times when games were simple, but incredibly addictive.

1. PocketGo

The most compact console, featuring solid materials and build quality, will easily fit into any pocket. The bright IPS-screen with a diagonal of 2.4 inches and a resolution of 320 × 240 is protected by a tempered glass panel. The button layout is similar to the Super Nintendo, with a headphone port and a volume wheel. Handles games from Game Boy Advance and older platforms well. PlayStation 1 does not pull, and the buttons of the gadget are not enough.

2. New PocketGo V2

The larger and more powerful version of PocketGo is one of the best portables for retro emulation. Its main strengths are availability and performance. The console is equipped with a 3.5-inch IPS-screen with a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels and has an analog stick - however, only one, which can be considered a minus for those who are interested in PS1 emulation. Nevertheless, this platform, like the GBA, SNES and earlier models, including arcade machines, works great.

3. Retroflag GPi Case

An attractive console with an authentic design that completely replicates the iconic Game Boy, but in miniature. Another advantage of the GPi Case is the ability to use the Raspberry Pi Zero. This allows games to run through the popular Emulation Station shell, which is actively supported by the community and has a beautiful interface.

The 2.8-inch IPS screen looks great for 8- and 16-bit games, titles from the Game Boy Advance, and most 2D games from the PS1. The downside is the lack of analogs and a built-in battery - like its ideological progenitor, the console runs on three AA batteries.

4. Retroid Pocket

And this portable took from the original Game Boy only the form factor and the resemblance to a brick, albeit a very neat one. The gadget received a 3.5-inch display with a resolution of 640x480 and runs Android 6.0.

The Retroid Pocket is powerful enough to run games from almost any retro platform, including the Nintendo DS and N64, as well as 2D games from the PSP. For emulation, the popular RetroArch shell is used, you can even display a picture on a TV. The only drawback: the console does not have a single pair of auxiliary keys L and R.

5. Anbernic R350

Probably the most balanced portable console to date. The R350 has a 3.5-inch display with a standard retro-emulation resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, yet boasts a compact body with excellent materials and workmanship. There are two analog sticks, two pairs of triggers, and additional buttons for controlling brightness and volume.

The console supports multiple firmwares from developers and an active user community, does a great job of emulating PS1, not to mention GBA, SNES and earlier platforms. There is also an image output to external displays via HDMI and two USB-C ports - for charging and connecting accessories.

6. Powkiddy X18

A budget portable foldable format running Android 7.0. The quality of plastic and workmanship is inferior to the same RG350, but the screen has a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1,280 × 720 pixels, and the performance is more than enough to run all classic platforms, including the PS1. Titles from PSP, N64 and Dreamcast play, but some do not run at full speed.

7. Retroflag MEGAPi CASE

The only stationary console in the collection. Powered by the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, which is housed in a miniature Sega Genesis case. The kit includes authentic wired gamepads and everything you need, including memory cards. The Emulation Station is used as a shell. There are also variants with similar filling, but in the cases of the NES, European and American versions of the Super Nintendo.

8. Anbernic R350M

An updated version of the RG350 with several significant differences. The main ones are an aluminum case and a display with a resolution increased to 640 × 480 pixels. In addition, the arrangement of the buttons has changed, there is a quick access to the main memory card. The analog sticks are now recessed into the body, and there are inserts on the back for a better grip. The hardware remains the same, so if you want to save money, you can safely take the regular plastic version.

9. Retro CM3

A compact console based on a miniature version of the Raspberry Pi 3. With its small size, the Retro CM3 has impressive performance: on a three-inch display with a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels, you can run any games up to PS1 and even Nintendo DS and N64, but with some reservations. There is a minimal set of buttons, only the second stick and one more pair of triggers are missing.

10. GPD XD Plus

Another clamshell for Android 7.0 in the Nintendo DS design, but with one touchscreen five-inch HD-display. There is a full set of buttons on board, allowing you to play titles from a wide variety of platforms. The performance is sufficient even for Dreamcast and PSP, not to mention 8- and 16-bit games. As a shell, you can use RetroArch or separate emulators for Android.

11. GPD Win 2

The most expensive, but also the most advanced console in the collection. However, it would be more correct to call the GPD Win 2 a gaming mini-laptop. The gadget is equipped with an Intel Core m3 processor with UHD 615 graphics and runs on Windows 10. Such capabilities allow you to run titles from any consoles up to PS2 and Nintendo Wii U. You can also play both old and new Windows games. Playing Doom or GTA V on a handheld device is priceless.